Mike Johnson #20

Position: Right Wing
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 197 lbs.
Shoots: Right
Born: October 3, 1974 (Scarborough, Ontario)
 Last Amateur Club: Bowling Green State University
Falcons (CCHA)
Became A Leaf:
Signed as a free agent by Toronto on March 16, 1997.
NHL Honours:
NHL All-Rookie Team (1998)

Mike's childhood hockey
  hero was Wayne Gretzky. He is an avid fan of the Canadian music
  group "Tragically Hip". Mike was a Business and Finance major at
  Bowling Green.

When Mike Jonhson started playing for the Leafs at the end of the 96-97 season, he had a tendency to score more on the road then at home.  Ironically his rookie season (97-98) he scored 36 points at home with only 11 on the road.  Then in 98-99 his points were more balanced out but, in my opinion, he performed better when linesmate Alyn McCauley was around.  Although Mike has scoring habbits out of the twillight zone he can score in any situation: power play, shorthanded and at even strenght.
He is a fast skater and has alot of skill, he can see the ice well and he is someone the Leafs will like to have as he continues to help them out!

   1997-98 Season
   First NHL season. Led NHL rookies in assists. Tied for lead among NHL rookies in points. Fourth among
   NHL rookies in goals. Tied for third among NHL rookies in power-play goals. Second on team in assists and
   points. Third on team in power-play goals. One of three Leafs to appear in all 82 games.

   The Finesse Game
   Johnson has an amazing, advanced knowledge of how to use the ice offensively and defensively. He protects
   the puck on the boards. When he's down low in his own end on defensive-zone coverage, he's strong and
   supports the puck well. After Mats Sundin, he was probably the Leafs' best forward last season. That might
   not be saying much, considering it is the Leafs, but it's significant considering Johnson was a free agent signing
   and a rookie. Offensively, Johnson will take the puck to the net. He knows when to move and doesn't just
   stand around and stay checked. He moves into scoring positions. His puck movement on the power play is
   exceptional. He has to get a stronger shot, which should come with physical maturity. Johnson is a terrific
   skater with the kind of ability that instantly stamps him as a 10-year pro. He can harry puck carriers when
   killing penalties and has the one-step breakaway quickness to be a shorthanded threat.

   The Physical Game
   Johnson has to get bigger and stronger. He is tall and reedy, and if he stands too still near the stick rack he'll
   get packed away for the next road trip.

   The Intangibles
   Johnson will do just about anything a coach asks. He had a predictable late-season slump (only five goals
   after the All-Star break) but he should be more consistent. He will have to adjust to a new coach.

Mike's Playoff Stats